The Jazzmaster Cookbook: Jazz Theory and Improvisation, featuring Jazzmaster Workout Improvisation Practice Method

by Jim Grantham

For the music student there is the study and practice of music theory, and then there is playing of the music. With The Jazzmaster Cookbook the twain shall meet. This exceptional jazz theory and improvisation text/practice book not only provides a thorough and clear explanation of jazz harmony and theory, but also provides a structured practice routine, allowing the student an organized approach to play what he or she is learning. Using a key a week routine, the play along exercises in this book easily advances the beginning student, learning to improvise using major scales, to the experienced musician, exploring modern complex chromatic pentatonic and intervallistic concepts. The Jazzmaster Cookbook is divided into three sections, all emphasizing understanding music theory, harmony, and jazz improvisation. The first section is the music theory text. The basics are well covered with chapters on major scales, intervals, chord, diatonic cords, modes, and chord scales. Intermediate levels include functional harmony, chord progressions, basic melody, song form, blues, and minor key harmony. Advance levels include extended and secondary dominants, tritone substitution, modal interchange, altered dominant scales, diminished harmony,modern use of pentatonic scales, nonfunctional harmony, and developing an individual musical styles. The second section of the book relates to the step by step foundation of the theory section with a systematic, 12 key practices method, including ear training, helping the student master essential improvisation concept on his or her instrument. Practice CDs are optional. The third section is a Key Reference section which provides fill in worksheets, reinforcing your understating of the jazz improvisation theory. The book is 368 pages and suitable for college text, workshops, or individual learning.

368 pages, Spiral-bound

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Jazzmaster Workout Improvisation Practice Method is extremely thorough and very practical. The theory is to the point, clearly presented, and usefully based on common practice. The 12 key practice routine is especially valuable.
Jamie Aebersold

I’ve looked over Jim Grantham’s Jazzmaster Workout practice method and I find it very thorough and practical for learning the techniques of not only jazz improvisation but basic musicianship and harmonic theory. I highly recommend that it be published as it would make a great text and workbook combination for teaching jazz in high schools and colleges. The workbook and tapes in particular will help a student with the actual ‘how to’ of practicing, attaining, and mastering basic musical skills.
Dave Liebman

The Jazzmaster Workout is the best book I’ve ever seen for training serious, contemporary music students in improvisation. Very often, students tend to sound alike and play predictable cliches because they are locked into pre-memorized patterns. The exercises (aka the tools) recommended in this approach are very musical and are especially effective in developing a personal, improvisational style.
Ed Kelly

Jim Grantham’s Jazzmaster Workout is an innovative and effective approach to the art of jazz improvisation that can be of value to musicians of all levels. Beginning with basic theory, this text presents the harmonic and vocabulary that has become so essential to jazz expression. Also provided are interesting practice techniques and exercises that ensure musical growth and development. Ideal for individual use, the Workout additionally could serve as a text/workbook for high-school and college-level jazz programs. The Jazzmaster Workout will be an invaluable addition to your practice routine as well as a useful reference for years to come.
Larry Monroe, Chairman, Professional Performance Division, Berklee College of Music

I am very impressed by the Jazzmaster Workout. It is the perfect text for a college jazz theory or improvisation class. There a dearth of good jazz theory books out there, and this offering is very clear and comprehensive. The layout draws you in and I especially like the comments in the margins.
Mel Graves

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In the Jazzmaster Workout, Jim Grantham has developed a comprehensive program for learning to play improvised music. The Workout not only provides a thorough explanation of jazz harmony and theory, but provides the student with a structured practice routine that allows him or her to take an organized approach to learning.

Herein lies the major strength of the Workout as a methodology for the study of improvisation and what allows it to stand out above other techniques or textbook treatments. Many beginning or even intermediate improvisers experience frustration with exactly how to approach the learning or improvement of their skills. Much of the instruction given today is vague, incomplete, aloof, and intimidating.

There probably isn’t a student who hasn’t been given the daunting task to “memorize this lick– then play it in all 12 keys.” The Workout moves beyond this type of superficial instruction by providing the student with a set of “tools” (practice routines and exercises) which are applied in a systematic manner to common chord changes and tunes. These tools, when played with a set of 12 cassette practice tapes not only develop technical proficiency on the instrument but reinforce critical ear training concepts. The result is a confident student with a definite place to start, a clear direction of study, and the ability to create original improvised melodies at a very early stage of study.

It’s clear after studying with the Jazzmaster Workout that Jim Grantham has a genuine interest in jazz education. Underlying his presentation is an appreciation for specific problems and roadblocks students often encounter learning improvisation and instrumental technique. One gets a reassuring feeling that Jim has wrestled with these same problems himself and shares with you successful, straight-forward techniques for working through them.

Based on my personal experience and success, I highly recommend the Jazzmaster Workout.
Nick Paliao